Does anyone know how Medication calculation problems are graded on NCLEX?

[Inland18mempiree]

I received 2 medication calculations on my NCLEX this past week. Both of them had pounds to kilograms conversions, and neither of them converted to whole numbers, they were all like 25.84578kg (just as example). Does anyone know if there is a "range of answers" that the BON accepts?

For example, a pt. is to receive 100 units/kg of heparin. The patient weighs 183 pounds.

183lbs = 83.181818kg (calculator answer). So, I would round this to 83.2kg. Therefore, 83.2X100units = 8320 units total.

HOWEVER,

If i just use the calculator answer and times that by 100 units (83.181818X100 units) that equals 8318 units.

So for one answer you get 8320units, and for the other you get 8318.

From what we've been taught in nursing school, both of these are "correct". I just don't know if the BON splits hairs like this or accepts a "range" of answers. Do you know?

P.S. If you get a calculation question wrong, does this mean you automatically fail?

[eccentricRN]

I beleive you get answers either right or wrong...there are no partial points awarded... same as SATA questions... you either got them all or if you added an extra or forgot one it's wrong.

[onyx77]

The dosage calculation questions I had on NCLEX actually said how to type in the answer. Example: use a whole number as your answer, round to one point after the decimal. I am pretty sure it is either right or wrong.

[eager1hasbegun]

I remember learning in school, that when doing a math problem with several calculations, not to round (or at least round to the thousandths) until you get your final answer...